Page 27 - WDI 2020 Annual Impact Report

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(IBEW) to ensure the union remains at the forefront of training related to energy advances—including that for smart grid, solar, battery storage, and other initiatives. The result is that the contractors that work with this union have been prepared for any work that comes out in these emerging areas.
This past year was no different when we supported an initiative to ensure that trainers from several of the IBEW Locals could attain Energy Storage and Microgrid Training and Certification. The goal of the initiative was to “train the trainers” so that they could take the knowledge back to their locals and train their membership at a fraction of the cost of bringing in outside trainers.
The Energy Storage and
Microgrid (ESM) industry is growing exponentially in the U.S., and is expected to reach $40 billion by 2030. There are almost 1,700 Energy Storage projects in the U.S. right now, according to the Department of Energy website. In short—ESM work is here and growing.
ESM work can be difficult and dangerous. Certification ensures that electrical contractors and electricians are prepared to
safely and effectively perform assembly, testing, commissioning, maintenance, repair, retrofitting, and decommissioning of ESM systems. In total, 14 Trainers representing 10 Locals were trained via the WDI
support. This training was then used to leverage an additional grant from NYSERDA for equipment that will be used to train Apprentices and journey-level workers throughout NYS during 2020–2021. The training will ultimately be embedded into IBEW training at all of the Locals.
NORTH COUNTRY: INTERNATIONAL
PAPER’S TICONDEROGA MILL CONTINUES A TRACK RECORD OF INVESTMENTS IN INNOVATIVE TRAINING, SAFETY MEASURES, AND TECHNOLOGY
International Paper (IP) is one of the world’s leading producers of fiber- based packaging and pulp and paper, with more than 50,000 employees and customers worldwide. One of International Paper’s manufacturing plants, Ticonderoga Mill, is located in the North Country and provides 600-good paying jobs for members of the Ticonderoga (Essex County) community. Ticonderoga Mill hourly employees are represented by the United Steelworkers Locals 5 and 497. WDI has worked with this valued employer a number of times over the years on innovative training programs to improve employees’ skills, maintain plant safety, and drive production efficiencies. These projects have led to promotions, increased employee satisfaction, skill development, and job growth in the region. This past year WDI once again worked with the plant around
implementation of equipment
to ensure essential training could happen in accordance with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.
As an essential business, Ticonderoga Mill has continued its operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and even hired new workers. Newly hired employees typically receive training both in the classroom and in operating departments throughout the facility. Normally, classroom instruction takes place within Ticonderoga Mill’s on site training facility. However, because the on-site training facility was too confined
to accommodate social distancing, classroom instruction was moved to a larger space in the community during the entirety of the 4-week course. When conducting training in on-site operational areas, high noise levels makes communication while practicing social distancing very difficult. Since proper training is essential to maintaining the safety of employees, it is important that trainees and instructors are clearly heard and understood. WDI supported Ticonderoga Mill with the purchase of an interactive voice communication system to be used to accommodate social distancing during all training (new hire and ongoing) within high-noise areas.
Recently, Ticonderoga Mill reported that 15-newly hired employees were successfully trained and on-boarded using the new interactive voice communication system.
2020 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 26